BillMyWeek vs FreshBooks
An honest side-by-side of BillMyWeek and FreshBooks: what each does, what it costs as of October 2026, and who each one suits.
We make BillMyWeek, so we've kept this comparison to facts you can check. Our details come from our own pricing page. Details for FreshBooks come from their pricing page, read in October 2026. Prices and features change, so check their site before you decide.
The short version
FreshBooks is invoicing and accounting software with expenses, time tracking and projects. BillMyWeek is a simple invoicing tool for UK contractors, tradespeople and sole traders who bill a day or hourly rate every week or month, with CIS and VAT done for you. It isn't accounting software. They do different jobs, and some people use both.
Features and price
"Mentioned on their pricing page" means the feature appears on the FreshBooks page we read. It doesn't tell you which plan includes it. "Check their site" means we couldn't confirm it either way, not that they don't have it.
| Feature | BillMyWeek | FreshBooks |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1.99 a month or £19.99 a year, VAT included. 14-day free trial, no card | Lite £16, Plus £30 and Premium £42 a month, with introductory discounts (as of Oct 2026, from their pricing page) |
| Weekly or monthly day-rate invoices filled in for you | Yes, plus copy last week | Check their site |
| Overtime and weekend rates | Yes, multipliers you set | Check their site |
| CIS deduction on invoices | Yes, on labour only, with materials kept out | Not mentioned on their pricing page. Check their site |
| Quotes | Yes, and turn a quote into an invoice | Mentioned on their pricing page |
| Timesheets | Yes, clock in and out on your phone, with optional client approval | Check their site |
| Mobile app | Works in your phone's browser; no app-store app | Not mentioned on their pricing page. Check their site |
| Bookkeeping, bank feeds or business account | No | Not mentioned on their pricing page. Check their site |
| Making Tax Digital filing | No | Mentioned on their pricing page |
| Payroll | No | Not mentioned on their pricing page. Check their site |
Who each one suits
FreshBooks may suit you better if
- It is aimed at freelancers and service businesses that want invoicing, time tracking and accounting together, and that describes you.
- You need features BillMyWeek doesn't have, such as bookkeeping, Making Tax Digital filing, payroll, payment links, recurring invoices or credit notes.
BillMyWeek may suit you better if
- You bill a day rate or hourly rate every week or month and want the invoice filled in for you in a minute.
- You work under CIS and need the deduction taken from labour only, or need the VAT domestic reverse charge wording.
- You want a low, fixed price: £1.99 a month, with quotes, timesheets, payment chasing and a tax year summary for Self Assessment included.
What BillMyWeek doesn't do
No Making Tax Digital or VAT returns, bookkeeping or bank feeds, payroll, mixed VAT rates on one invoice, credit notes, payment links, recurring invoices or app-store app. If you need those, an accounting package is a better fit, on its own or alongside BillMyWeek.
Want to see for yourself? Try making an invoice without signing up, or see all our comparisons.
Free: The UK Contractor's Cheat Sheet 2026/27
CIS rates, overtime maths, tax dates, mileage, VAT and late payment, on 2 pages. Keep it on your phone or print it for the van.
Frequently asked questions
Is BillMyWeek cheaper than FreshBooks?
BillMyWeek is £1.99 a month or £19.99 a year including VAT. FreshBooks: Lite £16, Plus £30 and Premium £42 a month, with introductory discounts (as of Oct 2026). The two do different jobs, so compare what you need, not just the price.
Can I use BillMyWeek and FreshBooks together?
Yes. BillMyWeek downloads invoices as PDF, Word, Excel and CSV, so you can keep records in another package. Check their site for how they import invoices.
Does BillMyWeek do Making Tax Digital?
No. BillMyWeek makes invoices and gives you a tax year summary to help with your return, but it doesn't file anything with HMRC.
Who wrote this comparison?
BillMyWeek did. We've only stated facts from each pricing page as of October 2026. If something is wrong or out of date, tell us and we'll fix it.
Sources
This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and rates change, so check the linked GOV.UK pages for the current position.